Treatment Study of Steroid Injection and Physical Therapy for Acute Lateral Epicondylitis

Physiotherapy Alone, in Combination With Corticosteroid Injection or Wait-and-see for Acute Lateral Epicondylitis in General Practice: a Randomised, Placebo-controlled Study With 12 Months Follow-up

The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effect of physiotherapy alone or combined with corticosteroid injection in the initial treatment of lateral epicondylitis in a primary care setting.

To find the short and long term effect of physiotherapy with Mill's manipulation, deep friction massage and exercise therapy.

To ascertain wether the outcome is influenced by corticosteroid injection, which has been shown to be of benefit alone in the short term?

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Tennis Elbow; Epicondylitis, Lateral Humeral
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: triamcinolone; Drug: Lidocaine; Other: Physiotherapy; Drug: Naproxen; Drug: Placebo

Detailed Description

Much has been written about lateral epicondylitis/tennis elbow reflecting the existence of many treatments for the condition. However, there is no consensus as to which treatment gives the best results.

Based on the latest meta-studies and reviews from the Cochrane Library, one may conclude that there is evidence of a short-term effect of topical or per oral NSAIDs. The same is true for manipulation and exercise. Corticosteroid injection has also been shown to have short-term effect, but not beyond 6 weeks. Ultrasound has a possible short-term effect based on one meta-analysis. Extra corporeal shock wave therapy does not seem to be effective. The treatment with acupuncture, orthosis, surgery or long-term NSAIDs has no support in the literature, and it is impossible to draw any conclusions about the effects or absence thereof. In fact, there is scant support for any long-term treatment in the literature.

We have found two studies to be of special interest (see citations below). Both have been done in a primary care setting with one-year follow up. One study compares corticosteroid injection with physical therapy (ultrasound, manipulation and exercise) and a wait-and-see group. The other compares corticosteroid injection with naproxen orally and placebo-medication. Both conclude that corticosteroid injection is a safe and effective treatment as pain-relief during the first 6 weeks, and that the effect of this treatment is better than physical therapy, wait-and-see and naproxen orally within the same time-frame. Physical therapy in one study gives some, but not statistically significantly better long-term (one year) effect than wait-and-see treatment.

There seems to be some indication that corticosteroid injection is a good alternative for the first 6 weeks. We find there is a good reason to investigate the long-term effects of physical therapy. At the same time, it would be interesting to see whether the good initial response from corticosteroid injection may be extended if combined with physiotherapy.

This randomised, placebo-controlled study will be conducted in general practice in the town of Sarpsborg, Ostfold County, Norway including patient aged 18-70 years with pain of recent onset from the lateral part of the elbow. After a treatment-period of 6 weeks, the patient is followed for a total of 12 months.

Patients are recruited by interested general practitioners in the city of Sarpsborg and surroundings and remitted to two study-physicians who make the initial evaluation of inclusion- and exclusion criteria, as well as treatment, follow-up and outcome assessments during the whole study-period. The patients are treated by one of the two study-physicians in the 6-weeks treatment-period. From the 6. week, the patient sees the other physician, who is unaware of the allocated intervention, for further registration and assessment.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 177
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Norway
  • Sarpsborg, Norway, 1712
    • Grålum legesenter

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-70 years
• Pain from the lateral part of the elbow
• The pain increases on resisted dorsiflexion of the wrist with the elbow extended and the fingers flexed or the pain increases on resisted radial deviation of the wrist or the pain increases on resisted extension of the 3. finger

Exclusion Criteria:

• Duration of complaints less than 2 weeks or more than 3 months
• The tenderness is located within the muscle body itself in the proximal part of the short radial extensors muscle of the wrist (Cyriax type IV)9.
• Treatment within the last 12 months for the same condition with corticosteroid injection or physiotherapy
• Bilateral complaints
• Previous surgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis
• Deformities of the elbow (congenital or acquired)
• Cervical radiculopathy or referred pain from neck or shoulder
• Previous fractures or tendon ruptures in the elbow
• Systemic musculoskeletal disease
• Previous allergic reactions to corticosteroids or lidocaine

• Contraindications to corticosteroids or NSAIDs:

  • On-going or previous gastro-intestinal bleeding
  • previous ulcer or dyspepsia, severe asthma
  • on-going systemic infection
  • local skin-infection
  • recently vaccinated with live virus
  • coagulopathies
  • systemic lupus erythematodes
  • severe liver- or kidney-disease
  • heart failure
  • diabetes
  • use of warfarin or NSAIDS
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Fertile females not on effective birth control
• Psycho-social or other reasons for not being able to participate throughout the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1; Corticosteroid injection in combination with physical therapy Injection with triamcinolone 10 mg and 10 mg of lidocaine at start and at 3 weeks in combination with physiotherapy for 6 weeks (12 treatments with deep friction massage, Mill's manipulation, soft tissue treatment and home exercises) Naprosyn Entero 500 mg bid for 14 days	Drug: triamcinolone; Injection with triamcinolone 10 mg at start and at 3 weeks; Other Names: Kenacort - T (triamcinolone); Xylocaine (lidocaine); Drug: Lidocaine; 10 mg of lidocaine at start and at 3 weeks; Other Names: Xylocaine; Other: Physiotherapy; 12 treatments with deep friction massage, Mill's manipulation, soft tissue treatment and home exercises; Other Names: Physical therapy; Drug: Naproxen; Naproxen 500 mg bid for 14 days; Other Names: Naprosyn entero
Placebo Comparator: 2; Placebo injection in combination with physical therapy Injection with sodium chloride and 10 mg of lidocaine at start and at 3 weeks in combination with physiotherapy for 6 weeks (12 treatments with deep friction massage, Mill's manipulation, soft tissue treatment and home exercises) Naprosyn entero 500 mg bid for 14 days	Drug: Lidocaine; 10 mg of lidocaine at start and at 3 weeks; Other Names: Xylocaine; Other: Physiotherapy; 12 treatments with deep friction massage, Mill's manipulation, soft tissue treatment and home exercises; Other Names: Physical therapy; Drug: Naproxen; Naproxen 500 mg bid for 14 days; Other Names: Naprosyn entero; Drug: Placebo; Injection with sodium chloride at start and at 3 weeks; Other Names: Sodium chloride
Active Comparator: 3; Control group: wait-and-see treatment Naprosyn entero 500 mg bid for 14 days	Drug: Naproxen; Naproxen 500 mg bid for 14 days; Other Names: Naprosyn entero

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Treatment Success - Event Rates in Each Group	Unadjusted event rates of treatment success, defined as participants rating themselves 'much improved' or 'completely recovered' on a six point scale. Percentage with 99% confidence interval.	6 - 52 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain as Recorded by the Study Doctors on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS Scale)	Pain in elbow as recorded by the study doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale). The scale runs from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximum pain), higher scores means worse outcome.	6 weeks
Pain as Recorded by the Study Doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale).	Pain in elbow as recorded by the study doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale). The scale runs from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximum pain), higher scores means worse outcome.	12 weeks
Pain as Recorded by the Study Doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale).	Pain in elbow as recorded by the study doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale). The scale runs from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximum pain), higher scores means worse outcome.	26 weeks
Pain as Recorded by the Study Doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale	Pain in elbow as recorded by the study doctors on a 100 mm VAS-scale (Visual Analog Scale). The scale runs from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (maximum pain), higher scores means worse outcome.	52 weeks
Pain-free Grip Strength Ratio	Pain free grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer . Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side.Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain occurs at the application of a small force signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint.	6 weeks
Pain-free Grip Strength Ratio	Pain free grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer 30 31. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side. Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain occurs at the application of a small force signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint.	12 weeks
Pain-free Grip Strength Ratio	Pain free grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer 30 31. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side.Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain occurs at the application of a small force signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint.	26 weeks
Pain-free Grip Strength Ratio	Pain free grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer 30 31. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side.Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain occurs at the application of a small force signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint.	52 weeks
Maximum Grip Strength Ratio	Maximum grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side. Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain hampers the application of grip force to a larger degree signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint where grip strength is not hampered by pain.	6 weeks
Maximum Grip Strength Ratio	Maximum grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side. Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain hampers the application of grip force to a larger degree signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint where grip strength is not hampered by pain.	12 weeks
Maximum Grip Strength Ratio	Maximum grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side. Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain hampers the application of grip force to a larger degree signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint where grip strength is not hampered by pain.	26 weeks
Maximum Grip Strength Ratio	Maximum grip strength registered with hand held dynamometer. Mean of three measurements as ratio of affected to unaffected side.Strength registered in kg. A ratio closer to zero signifies that pain hampers the application of grip force to a larger degree signifying a more severe condition. A ratio approaching 1 signifies a milder complaint where grip strength is not hampered by pain.	52 weeks
Affected Function on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	To what extent is the use of the elbow affected registered on 100 mm VAS-scale. 0 mm represents use not affected. 100 mm signifies maximum affected function. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	6 weeks
Affected Function on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	To what extent is the use of the elbow affected registered on 100 mm VAS-scale. 0 mm represents use not affected. 100 mm signifies maximum affected function. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	12 weeks
Affected Function on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	To what extent is the use of the elbow affected registered on 100 mm VAS-scale. 0 mm represents use not affected. 100 mm signifies maximum affected function. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	26 weeks
Affected Function on a 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	To what extent is the use of the elbow affected registered on 100 mm VAS-scale. 0 mm represents use not affected. 100 mm signifies maximum affected function. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	52 weeks
Overall Complaint on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	Overall complaint registered on VAS-scale as recorded by study doctors. 0 mm represents no overall complaint. 100 mm signifies maximum overall complaint. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	6 weeks
Overall Complaint on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	Overall complaint registered on VAS-scale as recorded by study doctors. 0 mm represents no overall complaint. 100 mm signifies maximum overall complaint. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	12 weeks
Overall Complaint on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	Overall complaint registered on VAS-scale as recorded by study doctors. 0 mm represents no overall complaint. 100 mm signifies maximum overall complaint. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	26 weeks
Overall Complaint on 100 mm VAS-scale as Recorded by the Study Doctors	Overall complaint registered on VAS-scale as recorded by study doctors. 0 mm represents no overall complaint. 100 mm signifies maximum overall complaint. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.	52 weeks
Pain Free Function Index of Everyday Activities	Pain free function Index ( 0 - 8 ; 0: full function, 8 no function). Does the patient have pain on 8 every-day activities (dressing, eating, washing, household tasks, opening doors, carrying objects, with work, at sports). Recording a 0 on a complaint listed signifies full function, recording a 1 signifies no function. Thus the more activities with no function the higher score and the higher impairment.	6 weeks
Pain Free Function Index of Everyday Activities	Pain free function Index ( 0 - 8 ; 0: full function, 8 no function). Does the patient have pain on 8 every-day activities (dressing, eating, washing, household tasks, opening doors, carrying objects, with work, at sports). Recording a 0 on a complaint listed signifies full function, recording a 1 signifies no function. Thus the more activities with no function the higher score and the higher impairment.	12 weeks
Pain Free Function Index of Everyday Activities	Pain free function Index ( 0 - 8 ; 0: full function, 8 no function). Does the patient have pain on 8 every-day activities (dressing, eating, washing, household tasks, opening doors, carrying objects, with work, at sports). Recording a 0 on a complaint listed signifies full function, recording a 1 signifies no function. Thus the more activities with no function the higher score and the higher impairment.	26 weeks
Pain Free Function Index of Everyday Activities	Pain free function Index ( 0 - 8 ; 0: full function, 8 no function). Does the patient have pain on 8 every-day activities (dressing, eating, washing, household tasks, opening doors, carrying objects, with work, at sports). Recording a 0 on a complaint listed signifies full function, recording a 1 signifies no function. Thus the more activities with no function the higher score and the higher impairment.	52 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Dorsiflexion of Wrist	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on dorsiflexion of wrist on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	6 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Dorsiflexion of Wrist	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on dorsiflexion of wrist on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	12 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Dorsiflexion of Wrist	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on dorsiflexion of wrist on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	26 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Dorsiflexion of Wrist	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on dorsiflexion of wrist on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	52 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Isometric Extension of Third Finger	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on isometric extension of third finger on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	6 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Isometric Extension of Third Finger	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on isometric extension of third finger on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	12 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Isometric Extension of Third Finger	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on isometric extension of third finger on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	26 weeks
No Pain on Three Point Likert Scale on Isometric Extension of Third Finger	Percentage of patients reporting "no pain" on isometric extension of third finger on a three-point Likert scale on dorsiflexion of wrist. Scale: No pain - some pain - definite pain.	52 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Oslo
• Collaborators: Allmennmedisinsk forskningsfond, Norway
• Investigators: Study Chair: Morten Lindbaek, Ph. D., University of Oslo

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Olaussen M, Holmedal O, Mdala I, Brage S, Lindbaek M. Corticosteroid or placebo injection combined with deep transverse friction massage, Mills manipulation, stretching and eccentric exercise for acute lateral epicondylitis: a randomised, controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 May 20;16:122. doi: 10.1186/s12891-015-0582-6.
• Holmedal O, Olaussen M, Mdala I, Natvig B, Lindbaek M. Predictors for outcome in acute lateral epicondylitis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Aug 17;20(1):375. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2758-y.
• Olaussen M, Holmedal O, Lindbaek M, Brage S. Physiotherapy alone or in combination with corticosteroid injection for acute lateral epicondylitis in general practice: a protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009 Dec 4;10:152. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-10-152.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 20, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2009
• First Posted (Estimate): January 22, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 24, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 11, 2021
• Last Verified: November 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Primary health care; Placebo-controlled; Randomised; double blind; Intervention study
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Tendon Injuries; Tendinopathy; Arm Injuries; Elbow Tendinopathy; Tennis Elbow; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Central Nervous System Depressants; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Anesthetics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Glucocorticoids; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Membrane Transport Modulators; Anesthetics, Local; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers; Sodium Channel Blockers; Gout Suppressants; Lidocaine; Triamcinolone; Triamcinolone Acetonide; Triamcinolone hexacetonide; Triamcinolone diacetate; Naproxen
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2006-002283-26

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No